Kerry: Failing To Explore Talks With Iran ‘Would Be The Height Of Irresponsibility’

[ProSense]

Kerry: Failing To Explore Talks With Iran ‘Would Be The Height Of Irresponsibility’

By Ben Armbruster

Secretary of State John Kerry defended the Obama administration’s policy of engaging Iran diplomatically over its nuclear program on Monday, saying it would be irresponsible for the United States to ignore any possibility of a negotiated deal.

“(There is) an opportunity to try to put to test whether or not Iran really desires to pursue only a peaceful (nuclear) program,” Kerry said at an event hosted by the Ploughshares Fund. “Some have suggested that somehow there’s something wrong with even putting that to the test,” he added:

“I suggest that the idea that the United States of America is a responsible nation to all of humankind would not explore that possibility would be the height of irresponsibility and dangerous in itself, and we will not succumb to those fear tactics and forces that suggest otherwise.”

Indeed, during the 2008 presidential campaign, GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that then candidate-Obama’s desire to talk directly to Iran’s leaders over its nuclear program demonstrates his “inexperience and reckless judgment.” Many on the right continue to hold that view today — using fear tactics described by Kerry — even while appearing to support the ongoing negotiating process that is showing signs of potential breakthrough.

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Meanwhile, Congress is looking to increase pressure on Iran by adding more sanctions, a move that the Obama administration is cautioning against. Wendy Sherman, the U.S. lead negotiator in talks with Iran, told the Voice of America’s Persian service last week that any additional sanctions should be delayed to see if nuclear talks can “gain traction.”

http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/10/29/2850861/kerry-talks-iran/

Remarks at the Ploughshares Fund Gala
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/10/215951.htm

[karynnj]

1. Strong words - when many thought the US would give in to Netanyahu

Thank you for posting the full speech. In context, this is even stronger. It is great to see Kerry living up to the words he said in 2004 -- and long before that. It was also great to read his praise of Lugar and to hear that he was there.

[JI7]

2. the fact that Netanyahu seems to be making all these comments to the media

warning about this and that seems to indicate there may be something serious going on. very hopeful.

[karynnj]

3. Interesting take - and I hope you are right

It would make sense for him to speak privately if the goal was just to pass ideas and concerns. Instead he comes out with a long list of seemingly non negotiable things.

I wonder if Kerry PUBLICLY backing that the Palestinians never condoned settlements is essentially a shot over the bow.

Obama can not let Netanyahu hold his options on the entire ME and NE hostage.

[MBS]

4. sounds like something is going to happen today

A first step, but an important first step
Thanks, Sec. Kerry.

[karynnj]

5. This does look really promising

Last edited Fri Nov 8, 2013, 01:09 PM - Edit history (2)

Contrary to Netanyahu's description, this does seem to do far more than September's views on possibilities. http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/08/world/meast/iran-nuclear-talks/index.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=news&utm_term=CNN

Kerry's statement this morning is very optimistic, but speaks of there still being things to agree on. http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2013/11/08/top-diplomats-join-iran-nuclear-talks/WtFg4H0x8c5m2uBQeF3wXP/story.html?s_campaign=sm_tw

Slightly off topic, here is a cool twitter comment (and the replies) on Kerry:
[div class ="excerpt"]
John Kerry's first year as secretary of state has probably eclipsed his expectations of what the job could be. (Spenser Ackerman)

Michael Cohen ?@speechboy71 2h
@attackerman His or ours?

Spencer Ackerman ?@attackerman
@speechboy71 Maybe both? I can't remember the last time a secretary of state has done this much. Brent Scowcroft works upstairs so I can ask

Stephen Young ?@StephenUCS 2h

Indeed @attackerman this Iran stuff is a game-changer, Syria a partial victory snatched from the jaws of war. Now, North Korea . . .

Michael Cohen ?@speechboy71 2h
@attackerman my guess would be never - at least in this short a period of time. It's remarkable



https://twitter.com/attackerman/status/398816081340403712

Cool when some in the fp punditry sound almost like us!